They usually grow up to around 2.2 inches, so you can go with a 10+ gallon tank. Not only is the American Flagfish pretty, but also it can take care of the accumulated algae in freshwater aquariums. This colorful Killifish immediately caught my eye when I first saw it in a small local fish store. The American Flagfish from the Jordanella genus is native to Florida. American Flagfish – Jordanella floridaeĭwarf fish such as Guppies and Danios, Corydora catfish, pigmy suckermouths, groups of barbs or tetras Find the Jager at Chewy by clicking here, or go over here to see it on Amazon.Ģ.

As for maintaining tropical aquarium temperatures for your Mbuna cichlids, I recommend checking the 250-Watt version of EHEIM’s Jager heater.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative check this canister filter. If you have a heavily stocked aquarium, use the Penn Plax Cascade 1500 canister filter which you can find at Chewy or on Amazon.

I recommend a few options for filtration of a 55-gallon aquarium that’s decently stocked with Mbuna Cichlids.

For the lighting you can go with the NICREW ClassicLED light which is great for bringing out the color and beauty out of African Cichlids.

Suggested aquarium equipment for African Cichlids from the Malawi Mbuna family: This way you will avoid hybrids, which are not only less colorful but also tend to get more aggressive. When deciding which fish species to incorporate in your tank, make sure that you don’t have two similar-looking species, as the Malawi Mbuna fish might confuse their partners. To avoid that, especially in smaller tanks, you can play it safe and only get one male specimen with 3 females. In their natural habitat male Mbunas compete for food and that’s why they tend to be aggressive and territorial toward one another. It’s worth mentioning that some, like the Chitimba, have sexual dimorphism. The one seen on the photo is Labidochromis s. Labidochromis caeruleus (max size of 6 inches).Gephyrochromis moori (4.5 – 5.5 inches).Cynotilapia afra (can reach up to 4 inches).Here are some examples of cool Mbuna species: They are part of the numerous types of cichlids coming from lakes in Africa. Malawi Mbunas come in different shapes and sizes. That’s why the Mbuna aquarium is so enjoyable to observe. The grey background that this aquascape creates, makes the colors of this cichlid family stand out even more. Since these tropical fish are rock-dwelling cichlids, Mbunas’ tanks should be set with rocks, caves, and enough hiding places for everybody. I have two hobby buddies that got into fishkeeping after me rambling about and showing them the pretty Malawi Mbunas. If you want to have a spectacularly colorful aquarium these freshwater fish are one of the top choices. Malawi Mbunasģ0+ to 55+ gallons (depending on the max size of the specimen) Here are the coolest freshwater fish that will make the prettiest aquarium: 1. Other species listed below stand out with their unique and exotic shapes and faces. Most of these exceptionally colorful freshwater fish can contribute to an impressive display aquarium. That being said, I’m positive that you’ll be able to discover almost all cool representatives of the prettiest and most brightly-colored freshwater fish that you can own at home.īefore we start, here’s how a beautiful Discus aquarium that’s dense on color and contrast looks like:īy IoanVladPappa 27 of the coolest freshwater aquarium fish In this guide, I’ll help you uncover the colorful species that will suit your new aquarium best. We can all agree that it is quite interesting to find out about the existence of exotic pretty fish with unique looks and inner worlds. I was trying to find the best and coolest possible fish combination to create a mesmerizing freshwater aquarium with happy inhabitants abundant in color and personality.

From the very start, as a beginner in fishkeeping, I’ve always had my eyes wide open for new compelling swimming pet buddies.

Freshwater fish tank ideas